10 iF design award 2021 winning sound systems are treats for the ears

iF design award 2021 makes sure everyone hears about the 10 winners. from LAYER’s beosound balance sculptural speakers for bang & olufsen to donut-looking vinyl players,  technological practicality and contemporary aesthetics make the awarded international devices sound better. whether taken on a camping trip or simply placed within a living room, all types of users get to listen to music wherever and however they prefer. 

the 10 iF design award 2021 winners picked by designboom show practical, visually and acoustically exciting speaker designs. 

name: muzen wild mini outdoor speaker 
brand: shenzhen airsmart technology co., ltd.
designers: TOFUN DESIGN

stylish ‘muzen wild mini outdoor’ bluetooth speaker can literally go anywhere. in simple lines, direct physical knobs and buttons, the chinese product gives users an intuitive, visual understanding on how to operate. with an all-metal casing and armored car surface finish, durability is definitely communicated. finally, the top is also equipped with emergency lights that come in handy for any outdoor adventures. 

name: oddict twig
brand: cresyn co., Ltd.

award: iF gold award

with their distinct design, the korean wireless earbuds ‘oddict twig’ add a touch of refined luxury in everyday life. the wearable accessory in aluminum features premium sound, quick charging as well as a comfortable and most importantly customizable fit. together with improved noise cancellation and a dedicated app for adjusting sound as desired, any user’s listening experience becomes as individual as they are. 

name: donut vinyl record player
brand: shenzhen fennessy culture co., ltd

playful, deconstructive and minimal, chinese ‘donut vinyl record player’ blends architecture, art and fashion. standing also as a contemporary home design décor, the device features a flat, metal-textured round bugle, a stereo folding structure neck and a simple, seamless body stand. in contrasting materials like red, green and orange, the high-end textiles pair well in any context. 

name: JBL cruise x powersports speaker system
brand: harman international industries, inc.

rugger high-performance bluetooth audio streaming system ‘JBL cruise x powersports’ adds sound to an all-terrain vehicle easier than ever. controlled by a single knob, the american product features a universal strap-mounting hardware and unique ball-join with up to 45 degrees of articulation. no matter where in the car it’s placed, an optimal listening experience is guaranteed. 

name: beosound balance
brand: bang & olufsen
designers: LAYER

created with a passion for music, design, and craftsmanship, ‘beosound balance’ is inspired by interior objects to redefine home audio. the london designed and danish produced product features a soft, rounded silhouette using materials such as solid oak wood and knitted textile. by using seven carefully placed speaker drivers with beam-forming technology, listeners can choose between powerful and room-filling sound, both promising directivity for precise and immersive music experiences.

name: SRS-XB23
brand: sony home entertainment & sound products inc.

portable wireless speaker ‘SRS-XB23’ offers a waterproof, dustproof, and rustproof performance that is ideal for outdoor use. the japanese design is wrapped in an outer fabric that ensures a durable and washable use. the device is compact enough to fit in a cupholder, as it also comes with a convenient strap for greater portability. 

name: loewe klang mr family (mr1, mr3, mr5)
brand: loewe technology gmbh

designed in a conical format and covered with high-quality acoustic fabric, german multiroom speakers ‘loewe klang mr family’ accompany any room in the house with music. a touch interface on the top allows simple and immediate interaction with a high-resolution flac standard (192kHz) and a total music output of 90 watts.

name: libratone bird
brand: little bird co., ltd.
designers: swift creatives

it’s small, fun and intuitive; ‘libratone bird’ the bluetooth speaker chirps responses to the user’s commands through a preferred voice assistant. packed with easy-to-use features, the chinese charming and colorful speaker is gives a smile to anyone who gets to tap on the bird’s forehead and witness its head turn and talk. 

name: harman kardon soundsticks 4
brand: harman international

with a sculptural design, ‘harman kardon soundsticks 4’ is fills the space with vibrant treble and incredible bass, all while featuring a futuristic visual experience. as an evolution from the original, world-renowned harman kardon soundsticks audio system, the chinese design achieves bold transformation in form and function.

name: we – HEAR family (HEAR1/HEAR2)

brand: loewe technology gmbh

designed especially for a young audience, loewe’s ‘we- HEAR family’ distributes audio content to wherever desired. with the focus on a fresh and independent design, high-quality materials, and sustainable product development, the german bluetooth speakers are available in two sizes: a big speaker with a total music output of 60 watts and a smaller version with 30 watts of total music power.

designboom and iF design award collaborate for the 9th time to announce the winners of the 2021 edition, ‘new worlds of sound’. from thousands of reviewed entries by an elaborate international jury, our top picks  also include iF gold award winners. together, we aim to highlight inspiring and always creative ideas, responding respectively to each theme. to view the full curation of iF design award 2021 winners, visit here.

interested and inspired? showcasing the ‘creatiFe power of design’, registration for iF design award 2022 is now open, here.